The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
